AUBURN, NH - A strong storm moved through Southern, NH bringing with it heavy winds, torrential rain, and lightning Monday July 25, 2022.

During the height of the storm at about 2:00 p.m., Dave Balchunis of Londonderry was driving South on Londonderry Tpk when trees and multiple utility poles came crashing down around him in front of his moving vehicle.

Balchunis slammed on the brakes, and the right side of his vehicle was struck by a tree smashing his window, and live power lines covered his vehicle. He called 911 who advised him to stay in his vehicle and Auburn Fire Fighters responded.

He was trapped in his vehicle for about an hour while Eversource responded and disconnected power to the area. After the power was disconnected Balchunis was assisted from his vehicle and evaluated. He was physically uninjured but as he mentions in the video very shaken by the incident.

Balchunis said God was with him, and he had just visited a friend in the hospital and was saying the rosary while driving down the road. Asked if he felt lucky he said someone was looking over him, and he might buy a lottery ticket when he can get his car out of the downed trees.

Eversource said about 400 people in the area are without power and they anticipate it will be after midnight before power begins to be restored. Trees and debris need to be removed, and then Eversource will work with other utilities to remove the downed lines, and utility poles.

Crews removed the trees surrounding Balchunis’s car around 4:30 and he was able to drive away. He said he was stopping at the gas station on the way home to buy his lottery ticket.

Londonderry Tpk is expected to be closed for most of the night as repairs are made.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news